Big Ten Conference 2006-07 Preview
Every year, it seems, the pundits label the Big Ten as “down.” Midwesterners (and the dozens of Penn State fans) are used to hearing it around the first freeze of the year. But every year, five or six teams get dance invitations, and the conference usually does very well for itself. True to form, a “down” Big Ten produced six tournament squads last year. But unlike previous campaigns, its representatives fizzled on the big stage, garnering only three combined wins and advancing no teams to the Sweet 16.
This year’s Big Ten, you ask? It’s, well, down. It isn’t the same “down” as years past, however, when the conference featured a half dozen good teams but no great ones. This year, two teams, Wisconsin and Ohio State, have a chance to be great, while the good teams are harder to spot. The reason for the unpredictability is simple: six of the league’s top seven teams from last year lost their leading scorer. Four of them said goodbye to their top two scorers. And until some unfamiliar names step up as stars, the Big Ten will be “down.”
The lone top-seven finisher returning its leading scorer is Wisconsin, and its versatile star Alando Tucker. Tucker, an obvious choice for player of the year, is the toughest matchup in the Big Ten. His return alone would put the Badgers in an enviable position. But there is talent returning around Tucker, with senior guard Kammron Taylor and junior forward/center Brian Butch back again. Wisconsin, with its experience and savvy coach Bo Ryan, are the favorites.
Ohio State may have the most talented team in the league, bringing in one of the top recruiting classes in recent Big Ten memory. It all starts with 7-1 center Greg Oden, who some have called the best freshman pivot since Lew Alcindor. He certainly won’t have to live up to that dominance for the Buckeyes to do some damage. Thad Matta’s “Thad Five” recruits will be brought along by returning guards Jamar Butler and Ron Lewis, who both scored in double digits last season. Expect the Buckeyes to join Wisconsin as the elite teams of the league.
With the first two slots taken, Illionis, Indiana, Michigan State and maybe even Penn State are left to battle for third place scraps. Iowa figures to fall toward the bottom third of the league, joining perennials Minnesota, Purdue and Northwestern. Michigan, the talented enigma of the conference, could fall anywhere.
The biggest off-season news in the conference surrounded Kelvin Sampson’s controversial jump to Indiana to replace the maligned Mike Davis. It was clear that Davis was no longer welcome in Bloomington, and Sampson will bring a tougher, more disciplined style to the Hoosiers. Whether or not the players, most notably Davis follower D.J. White, accept Sampson’s style will determine how good they can become.
With a solid freshman class, the Big Ten may not be “down” for long. One thing is certain: there are several tournament spots up for grabs, and the scramble for the invites should be thrilling.
Big Ten Honor Roll
First Team
Kammron Taylor, Sr. G, Wisconsin
Adam Haluska, Sr. G, Iowa
Geary Claxton, Jr. G/F Penn State
Alando Tucker, Sr. F, Wisconsin
D.J. White, Jr. F, Indiana
Second Team
Dion Harris, Sr. G, Michigan
Jamar Butler, Sr. G, Ohio State
Brian Randle, Jr. F, Illinois
Carl Landry, Sr. F, Purdue
Greg Oden, Fr. C, Ohio State
Third Team
Earl Calloway, Sr. G, Indiana
Drew Neitzel, Jr. G, Michigan State
Rich McBride, Sr. G, Illinois
Jamelle Cornley, So. F, Penn State
Brian Butch, Jr. F/C, Wisconsin
Player of the Year: Alando Tucker, Wisconsin
Newcomer of the Year: Greg Oden, Ohio State
Freshman of the Year: Greg Oden, Ohio State
Defensive POY: Greg Oden, Ohio State
Coach of the Year: Bo Ryan, Wisconsin
Most Improved: Earl Calloway, Indiana
Coach on the Hot Seat: Tommy Amaker, Michigan
Projected Order of Finish
1. Wisconsin Badgers (19-12, 9-7, T4th Big Ten)
Coach: Bo Ryan (112-49, 5 years)
Key Loss: G Ray Nixon
Projected Starters:
G Kammron Taylor, 6-6/Sr. (14.2 ppg)
G Michael Flowers, 6-2/Jr.
F Alando Tucker, 6-6/Sr. (19 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
F/C Brian Butch, 6-11/Jr. (9.9 ppg, 6 rpg)
C Jason Chappell, 6-10/Sr.
Key Games: 11/28 vs. Florida State (ACC-Big Ten Challenge), 12/9 at Marquette, 12/16 vs. Pittsburgh, 2/25 at Ohio State
The Big Ten’s list of recognizable returning stars looks like this: Alando Tucker. Period. Badger fans can’t help but feel confident knowing that. His production is just about the only sure thing in the conference this season. The toughest matchup in the league, Tucker loves to back down smaller defenders into the paint, but can hurt bigger, slower-footed foes on the perimeter or off the dribble. The only way to contain him is to foul: last year he shot 55 percent from the line.
Aside from Tucker, the Badgers return three additional starters. Point guard Kammron Taylor had spurts last season when he carried the team offensively, and talented forward/center Brian Butch seems poised to have a breakout season. Senior center Jason Chappell brings some size, junior guard Michael Flowers can hit the open jumper and sophomores Joe Krabbenhoft and Marcus Landry give Bo Ryan’s lineup some versatility. In all, Wisconsin brings back 90% of their scoring, 93% of their rebounding and 87% of their minutes from a tournament team. Throw in freshman guards Jason Bohannon, who was Iowa’s Mr. Basketball last season, and Trevon Hughes, and the Badgers figure to have some backcourt depth.
Wisconsin will be tested early in the season, with home tussles against Florida State and Pittsburgh, as well as in-state clashes against bracket-busters Wisconsin-Green Bay and Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Circle the December 9 game at Marquette, where Tucker and Taylor will battle with Dominic Jones and Wes Matthews to see who’s the Big Cheese in dairyland. With Ryan at the helm, you know the Badgers will compete in every game and will bring as much intensity and defensive effort as any team in the land. Expect them to be in the hunt for a No. 1 seed come early March.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (22-6, 12-4, 1st Big Ten)
Coach: Thad Matta (46-18, 2 years)
Key Losses: G Je’Kel Foster (12.2 ppg), G J.J. Sullinger (10.1 ppg, 7 rpg), G Sylvester Mayes, G/F Matt Sylvester, C Terence Dials (15.3 ppg, 8 rpg)
Projected Starters:
G Mike Conley, 6-1/Fr.
G Jamar Butler, 6-2/Jr. (10.1 ppg, 4.6 apg)
G Daequan Cook, 6-5 Fr.
G Ron Lewis, 6-4/Sr. (11.2 ppg)
C Greg Oden, 7-1/Fr.
Key Games: 11/29 at North Carolina (ACC-Big Ten Challenge), 12/23 at Florida, 1/9 at Wisconsin, 2/3 at Michigan State
Greg Oden’s arrival in Columbus is finally here, and Buckeye fans have been waiting for it for over a year. But now that it’s finally here, they’ll have to wait a little longer. Offseason wrist surgery will sideline Oden until January, and he hopes to be ready for the conference season. His presence alone is enough for some folks to nominate them as national contenders, but Oden isn’t the only impact freshman Thad Motta lured to wear the crimson and silver. They also have guards Mike Conley and Daequan Cook (Scoonie Penn and Michael Redd anyone?), who give Ohio State the most talented trio of freshmen in the country. Let’s not forget chiseled swingman David Lighty, whose size could earn him a starting spot by midseason. The class is rounded out by junior college transfer Othello Hunter, who will be in charge of replacing some of Terence Dials’ low-post command.
Let’s not sell the returning Buckeyes short here either. Matta’s cupboard, although raided, isn’t exactly bare. Guard Jamar Butler is one of the most well-rounded guards in the conference, and is the juice behind Ohio State’s flashy offense. His experience will go a long way toward making the incoming freshmen feel comfortable in the rugged Big Ten. Ron Lewis was a double-digit scorer last season, and opens up outside shots with his slashing ability.
The reason for excitement in Columbus is also the reason for hesitance. The Big Ten is a grueling conference, and there are few easy games in the sixteen-game season. If the freshmen can handle the grind and mesh together (they do have experience as AAU teammates), the Buckeyes should fare well. But this league is no AAU circuit – they’ll have to show they can deflect some body shots before they can claim the crown. With Oden a certain one-and-done, and Cook likely to follow, this go-round might be their only shot.
3. Illinois Fighting Illini (267, 11-5, T2nd Big Ten)
Coach: Bruce Weber (89-16, 3 years)
Key Losses: G Dee Brown (14.2 ppg, 4.5 apg), James Augustine (13.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg)
Projected Starters:
G Chester Frazier, 6-2/So.
G Rich McBride, 6-3/Sr. (10 ppg)
F Brian Randle, 6-8/Jr. (5.4 rpg)
F Warren Carter, 6-9/Sr.
F/C Shaun Pruitt, 6-10/Jr. (5.1 rpg)
Key Games: 12/2 at Arizona, 12/29 at Xavier, 1/6 vs. Ohio State, 2/10 at Indiana
The Illini said goodbye to the last two cogs in their national runner-up team, Dee Brown and James Augustine, and now must welcome a new era in Champaign. It might be a while, though, before the identity of that era is determined. It hasn’t exactly been a fresh start for the Crush either, as senior guard Rich McBride found himself in handcuffs after a September DUI arrest. McBride is the team’s leading returning scorer, but the orange he’ll be wearing at his Oct. 30 court date isn’t the shade coach Bruce Weber desires. He was suspended for the first four games of the season, but his absence shouldn’t cost the Illini much. If anything, it will allow some younger players to gain game experience.
One of the young guns to be excited about is sophomore guard Jamar Smith, who led the Big Ten in three-point shooting his freshman year. He’s ideal as a sixth man, and gives the offense an immediate boost upon entrance. He’ll likely start during McBride’s suspension, and could scatter starts against smaller opponents. The burden of replacing Dee Brown’s spot falls upon sophomore Chester Frazier, who saw limited action last year and will welcome help from Dayton transfer Trent Meacham. Neither of them possesses the quickness that allowed Brown to excel, but Illinois’ style doesn’t figure to be as frantic.
The best player on the team should be Brian Randle, whose lankiness and inside-outside combo rouses memories of a former Illini Brian: Brian Cook. He’s solid on defense with his length, but must be aggressive on a team that will be searching for a top scorer. He’ll be joined on the frontline by Warren Carter, a talented tease who hasn’t fulfilled expectations, and banger Shaun Pruitt, who will have to replace Augustine’s right-place-right-time knack.
Bruce Weber, sporting a gaudy 89-16 record in his three years in Champaign, must prove he can coach without the four NBA talents he inherited. The Illini have a tremendous homecourt advantage, and luck out by not having to face either Ohio State or Wisconsin on the road. If they can take advantage of their schedule, the third spot is theirs to lose.
4. Indiana Hoosiers (19-12, 9-7, T4th Big Ten)
Coach: Kelvin Sampson (1st year)
Key Losses: G Marshall Strickland (12.6 ppg), G Lewis Monroe, G Robert Vaden (13.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg), F Marco Killingsworth (17.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg)
Projected Starters:
G A.J. Ratliff, 6-2/Jr.
G Earl Calloway, 6-3/Sr.
G Roderick Wilmont, 6-4/Sr.
F D.J. White, 6-9/Jr.
C Ben Allen, 6-10/So.
Key Games: 11/28 at Duke (ACC-Big Ten Challenge), 12/9 at Kentucky, 12/17 vs. Southern Illinois, 1/7 vs. Michigan State, 1/20 at Connecticut
Hoosier fans never embraced Mike Davis, and they aren’t exactly thrilled with the arrival of Kelvin Sampson. He’s not “one of them” like Steve Alford would have been, and isn’t exactly a hot new name, like Mark Few could have been. His hiring has already spawned a “Fire Kelvin Sampson” website, and the passionate Hoosier fans haven’t seen him coach a game yet. He’ll have to earn their respect on top of the players. Talk about being on a hot seat.
At the top of his to-earn-respect list is junior forward D.J. White, a supreme talent who nearly followed Davis to UAB. White stayed, however, itching to play after a season lost to a broken foot, and will be the backbone of Sampson’s unit. He’s the premier big man in the conference, and the kind of leader that could carry an entire team. He might want to delegate some of the lifting to junior college transfer Mike White, whose 6-6, 245 pound stature earned him the nickname “King Kong.” Beyond that, however, the Hoosiers have very little frontcourt depth.
The backcourt will be led by seniors Earl Calloway and Roderick Wilmont and junior A.J. Ratliff. All will be expected to contribute more on the offensive end this season due to the graduation of Marshall Strickland and the evacuation of Robert Vaden. Calloway stepped into the starting role nicely at the end of last year, and was dominant in the NCAA tournament. His development may be the key to Sampson’s first season. Of course, all expectations are nullified if D.J. White can’t stay healthy.
5. Penn State Nittany Lions (15-15, 6-10, T8th Big Ten)
Coach: Ed DeChellis (31-57, 3 years)
Key Losses: F Travis Parker (12.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
Projected Starters:
G Ben Luber, 6-0/Sr. (4.5 apg)
G David Jackson, 6-1/Sr.
G/F Geary Claxton, 6-5/Jr. (15.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg)
F Jamelle Cornley, 6-5/So. (11.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
F Milos Bogetic, 6-10/So.
Key Games: 11/21 vs. Bucknell, 12/9 at Seton Hall, 2/7 vs. Wisconsin, , 2/21 at Ohio State
I know, it seems like a stretch to put Penn State anywhere near the top of the Big Ten standings, especially since they’ve occupied the league basement four of the last five seasons. But there is reason for optimism in Happy Valley this fall, with a roster that features one of the conference’s best players, last year’s freshman of the year and a steady senior point guard. The star is guard/forward Geary Claxton, a do-it-all talent who can score, rebound and defend. The former freshman of the year is forward Jamelle Cornley, who has double-double potential every night. And the senior leader is Ben Luber, a sturdy, tested floor general who can distribute the ball. Those are three very large reasons for head coach Ed Dechellis to believe his team will rise into the conference’s main floor.
Penn State has other players returning as well, including senior guard David Jackson, who started all 30 games for the Nittany Lions last season. Junior Mike Walker logged 20 minutes per contest last season as a backup guard, and should be available in the same role this year. And they will receive a major boost with the return of sharpshooter Danny Morrissey, who missed all of last season with an injury. In Morrissey’s freshman campaign two years ago, he made 53 three-pointers, and will force defenses to guard the perimeter.
On the interior, sophomore Milos Bogetic continues Penn State’s tradition of employing foreign big men. Bogetic, a stereotypical European big, has a solid outside game, but must improve greatly on the inside in order to be a factor in conference. Brandon Hassell is expected to earn more minutes in the post. For a team that generally lacks size, Bogetic and Hassell will need to hold their own against more skilled centers. If that happens, we could be talking about a tournament team.
6. Michigan State Spartans (22-12, 8-8, T6th Big Ten)
Coach: Mike Izzo (255-109, 11 years)
Key Losses: G Maurice Ager (19.3 ppg), G Shannon Brown (17.2 ppg), F Matt Trannon, C Paul Davis (17.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg)
Projected Starters:
G Drew Neitzel, 6-0/Jr. (5.4 apg)
G Travis Walton, 6-2/So.
F Raymar Morgan, 6-7/Fr.
F Marquise Gray, 6-8/So.
C Drew Naymich, 6-10/Jr.
Key Games: 11/29 at Boston College (ACC-Big Ten Challenge), 1/7 at Indiana, 2/3 vs. Ohio State, 3/3 at Wisconsin
No team lost as much talent as Tom Izzo’s Spartans, who will begin life without NBA draftees Maurice Ager, Paul Davis and Shannon Brown. And they also will be without Matt Trannon, who will be busy preparing for the NFL Draft. Those absences leave one remaining starter, Drew Neitzel, who was the proverbial drink-stirring straw for a very potent offense. Used basically as a tempo-setter for the past two seasons, Neitzel has shown he can hit open jumpers, and will have to take an active leadership role when others are hesitant. Look for Izzo to try some small ball, with Neitzel playing alongside sophomore Travis Walton. Walton gained valuable experience last year, and will need to play consistently for the Spartans to be able to handle the Big Ten’s stingy defense. After Neitzel and Walton, the cupboard gets pretty bare. Maurice Joseph saw very little action last season, and new faces Isaiah Dahlman, Brandon Darnton and Bryan Tibaldi have to prove they belong on a Big Ten court.
The names and faces up front for the Spartans won’t exactly scare defenders as they did in years past. Do the names Marquise Gray, Drew Naymick and Raymar Morgan ring any bells? Gray has some conference experience, but must show he can be more than a hot-headed intimidator in order to be a major factor. Naymick will clog the lane and snare some rebounds at least, and Morgan is the most Big Ten-ready freshman on the roster. We can assume these guys can play a little – you don’t get a scholarship to MSU if you can’t – but for now, it’s a believe-it-when-you-see-it approach. If there’s any coach in the conference that can motivate them and get the most out of their potential, it’s Izzo. That you can believe. Tradition suggests the Spartans won’t fall as far as it seems. Izzo will find players that will compete and their home court is as tough to play on as any in the league. Anything worse than .500 in conference will be a disappointment.
7. Michigan Wolverines (22-11, 8-8, T6th Big Ten)
Coach: Tommy Amaker (86-71, 5 years)
Key Losses: G Daniel Horton (17.6 ppg, 5.3 apg), F Graham Brown (7.3 rpg), C Chris Hunter
Projected Starters:
G Dion Harris, 6-3/Sr. (11.1 ppg)
G Jerret Smith, 6-3/So.
G/F Lester Abram, 6-6/Sr. (10 ppg)
G/F Ron Coleman, 6-6/Jr.
C Courtney Sims, 6-11/Sr. (10.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
Key Games: 12/23 at UCLA, 12/30 vs. Georgetown, 1/24 at Wisconsin, 2/27 vs. Michigan State
The talent is there again for Michigan, but that has never been their problem. Since Tommy Amaker took over in 2001, the Wolverines have stuffed rosters with talent, but never made the NCAA Tournament. For that reason alone, it’s hard to feel confident this year’s talented trio will fare any differently than the previous ones.
That trio of guard Dion Harris, guard/forward Lester Abram and center Courtney Sims gives them a scoring option at every spot on the floor, something that most teams can’t boast. Harris will have to show he can run the point, a spot that the departed Daniel Horton handled very well. Sims must develop more of a low post game, as opposed to the mid-range jumpers he prefers to settle for. Abram has the ability to take over stretches of games, but needs to be a steadying scoring force. The Wolverines need at least two of those three improvements to happen if they want to play a role in determining the Big Ten’s tournament teams.
The starting five is filled out by sophomore guard Jerret Smith and junior guard/forward Ron Coleman. Coleman has shown the ability to get on the glass and create some garbage scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He may be able to fill the role left by the scrappy, energetic Graham Brown. Smith needs to make the opposing team guard him so the big three can count on him as a viable scoring option.
8. Iowa Hawkeyes (25-9, 11-5, T2nd Big Ten)
Coach: Steve Alford (135-92, 7 years)
Key Losses: G Jeff Horner (13.6 ppg, 5.6 apg), F Greg Brunner (14.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg), F Erek Hansen
Projected Starters:
G Tony Freeman, 6-1/So.
G Mike Henderson, 6-2/Sr.
G Adam Haluska, 6-5/Sr. (13.9 ppg)
F Kurt Looby, 6-10/Jr.
C Seth Gorney, 7-0/Jr.
Key Games: 12/5 vs. Northern Iowa, 12/8 vs. Iowa State, 1/10 at Illinois, 2/3 vs. Indiana
If Michigan State lost the most talent, Iowa lost the most guts. Guard Jeff Horner and forward Greg Brunner sculpted the team’s identity for the last three seasons, and center Erek Hansen was the best shot-blocker in the conference. Replacing them will be impossible. Once Steve Alford and his Hawkeyes realize that, they can move on to this season.
There is one returning bright spot in swingman Adam Haluska, who has surprising quickness and admirable inventiveness on the offensive end. He did much of his damage playing off the departed stars, however, and time will tell if he can be the top option on Iowa’s roster. His scrappy play and relentless attacking style should suit him well. Guard Mike Henderson is the other returning starter, but he was very inconsistent last year. He will have to provide more stability, and in a very small backcourt, will need to play big against the bigger shooting guards in the league.
The Iowa frontcourt, like many in the conference, is the question mark. Juniors Seth Gorney and Kurt Looby have very little experience, and are major unknowns. Even scarier than that is the fact that the Hawkeyes return only three players that averaged over three points per contest last season. They do bring in talented freshman Tyler Smith, who will be asked to contribute immediately. The good news for Alford is that he secured a long-term extension this off-season and isn’t likely to lose his job anytime soon.
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-15, 5-11, 10th Big Ten)
Coach: Dan Monson (116-101, 7 years)
Key Losses: G Adam Boone (10.3 ppg, 4.7 apg), G/F Vincent Grier (15.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg), G/F Maurice Hargrow (11.2 ppg), F Zach Puchtel, F J’Son Stamper (5.8 rpg)
Projected Starters:
G Limar Wilson, 5-11/Jr.
G Lawrence McKenzie, 6-2/Jr.
G Jamal Abu-Shamala, 6-5/So.
F Dan Coleman, 6-9/Jr.
C Spencer Tollackson, 6-9/Jr.
Key Games: 12/5 at UAB, 1/13 at Iowa, 2/14 vs. Wisconsin, 2/21 at Indiana
After losing the top three scorers from a 16-15 team, the Gophers find themselves in a familiar stage: rebuilding. Dan Monson’s traditional revolving door roster continues this season, with seven new names appearing on his 2006-07 lineup. Each newcomer should compete for significant minutes. The list of questions is long and worrisome.
First up on the checklist: reliable point guard play. Transfers Limar Wilson and Lawrence McKenzie figure to handle most of the ballhandling, with Wilson, who averaged 5.4 assists per game as a freshman, better fitting the “true point guard” mold the Gophers so desperately need. For a young team in the bump-and-grind Big Ten, sturdy show-running is a must.
A go-to scorer is also glaringly absent from Minnesota’s roster. The departed Vincent Grier demanded the ball for the Gophers the last two seasons, and juniors Dan Coleman and Spencer Tollackson will need to carry a larger offensive load. They are the only two returning players with significant Big Ten experience, and will be looked to for leadership on a squad with no seniors. The question is this: in a clutch situation, who wants the shot and who takes it?
The Gophers did add quickness, an area that up-tempo teams like Michigan State and Illinois exploited last year. The additions of McKenzie, Wilson, redshirt freshman Kevin Payton and true freshman Lawrence Westbrook should prevent them from being run out of the gym.
But Minnesota’s strength may turn out to be its interior defense and rebounding. Tollackson and sophomore Jonathan Williams provide shot-blocking dangers, and a bulkier Coleman could control the boards. Throw in 6-7, 230 lb. transfer Engen Nurumbi and 6-9, 240 lb. freshman Bryce Webster, and the Gophers have a stable of interchangeable bruisers.
10. Purdue Boilermakers (9-19, 3-13, 11th Big Ten)
Coach: Matt Painter (9-19, 1 year)
Key Losses: G Bryant Dillon, G/F Nate Minnoy (10.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg), F Matt Kiefer (12 ppg, 7.5 rpg), F Gary Ware, F Marcus White (10.1 ppg)
Projected Starters:
G Tarrance Crump, 6-1/Jr.
G Chris Lutz, 6-2/So.
G Marcus Green, 6-4/So.
G David Teague, 6-5/Sr.
F Carl Landry, 6-7/Sr. (15.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
Key Games: 12/5 vs. Loyola (Ill.), 1/10 at Indiana, 1/31 vs. Ohio State, 3/3 vs. Northwestern
The good news for Matt Painter is that there’s virtually no way he’ll have to go through as much as he did in his first season at the helm in West Lafayette. Injuries and suspensions interrupted the Boilermakers’ season and never allowed them to get a footing in league play. Purdue fans hope this season runs a little bit smoother, and a healthy Carl Landry can ease that transition. He plays bigger than his 6-7 listing would indicate and will be the first scoring option. Guard David Teague is also back from injury, and will be counted on to be the team leader.
Sophomore guards Chris Lutz and Marcus Green got lengthy exposure last season because of the injuries, and will benefit this year from that experience. Tarrance Crump, who was suspended all of last season, rounds out the starting five.
It’s not a bad group of names by any stretch. Depth and chemistry will be the major issues. Can the injured players come back fully healthy and ready to contribute? Who will step up off the bench and produce? What can be expected of Boston College transfer Gordon Watt? The list of uncertainties is longer than the list of for-sures, and that makes it harder to count on the Boilermakers for much.
11. Northwestern Wildcats (14-15, 6-10, T8th Big Ten)
Coach: Bill Carmody (85-92, 6 years)
Key Losses: G Mohammed Hachad (11.8 ppg, 5 rpg), F Bernard Cote, F Vedran Vukusic (19 ppg)
Projected Starters:
G Jason Okrzesik, 6-1/Jr.
G Craig Moore, 6-4/So.
G/F Sterling Williams, 6-4/So.
G/F Tim Doyle, 6-5/Sr.
C Vince Scott, 6-10/Sr.
Key Games: 11/17 at Stanford, 12/31 vs. Northwestern State, 2/7 vs. Illinois, 3/3 at Purdue
Northwestern lost their top two scorers from a 14-15 team, so expectations aren’t exactly high in Evanston. The Wildcats lack size, athleticism and a go-to scorer. Bill Carmody has his work cut out for him.
The one thing Northwestern has that can trip up opponents is a quirky style of play that can be frustrating. They will slow it down, spread the floor, and rely on backdoor cuts and sleeping defenders to score. They play zone most of the time, and are the only team in the Big Ten to show that look. Tim Doyle is the heart of the team, and typifies the hustling, outworking personality that allows the Cats to pull off an upset or two each season. Craig Moore and Sterling Williams must improve their offensive games, because their stingy defense can’t shut teams out.
Northwestern has shown they can defend their home court, but will their lack of offensive firepower allow them to compete on the road? I say no. This season, it may be more frustrating playing for the Wildcats than playing against them.
Conference Outlook
This year’s Big Ten is as top heavy as it’s been this millennium, and the big questions will be which team decides to claim the third spot, and who can prove themselves worthy of an NCAA Tournament bid. History suggests there will be at least five teams advancing, with most of the others filling out the NIT bracket.
Teams three thru eleven all have major question marks. Can Indiana adapt to Kelvin Sampson’s style and will it work in the Big Ten? Will Rich McBride and Brian Randle adequately replace Dee Brown and James Augustine? Can we really believe in Penn State? Who are these Michigan State guys? And when will Michigan’s talent translate into wins? The answers to these questions will unlock the Big Ten’s finish.
